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Hey all,

First time post here but probably not the last. I have a 2003 Civic with 155k on it and just got into doing my own work on cars. The motor has only about 55k as the last motor threw a rod and the clutch is brand new. Now on to my problems.


While driving down the highway last week I suddenly heard a sound and the check engine light came on. Along with the light came a loud screetch from under the hood where the drive belts are located. I pulled over and tentatively made it home after looking over it to see if there was anything major. Anyway, I went to start it up today because the check engine light gave a code of cam shaft sensor missing when I noticed the battery light flickering on and off. Since that may be signs of the alternator failing I grabbed on from a junk yard to swap if need be.

Now the screetching of the belts still comes and goes but not sure where I should start here to diagnose and fix the problem.

Thanks in advance.

 
Rep Power: 517

Start with the belt(s). Figure out why you have a screech. Is alt belt too loose? Something trying to lock up?

 
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What is too loose? Should there be little play in them when pressing and idle?

I will say they are not blatantly loose but not sure how to gauge it at this point.

 
Rep Power: 517

Multi-rib belts have to be much tighter than old V type belts.



Spec:

Deflection with 98 N (10 kgf, 22 lbf) applied midway between pulleys
8.5-11.0 mm (0.33-0.43 in.)

 
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Thanks, I will check this on Tuesday. Any recommendation on how to apply the force?

Also, just ordered a Haynes manual for my Civic to avoid some of these simpler questions in the future.

 
Rep Power: 517

Experience and Calibrated Fingers.


Seriously, if you can grab the belt between 2 pulleys and push and pull the belt more than 10mm, it's loose.

You (apparently) have belt squeal. If it isn't caused by a pulley trying to lock up, then the belt is way too loose. Tighten it.

How did it get loose? Are the alternator BOLTS not tight? That can fry the PCM if they were left loose.

 
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I just wanted to say thank you for pointing me in the right direction. The alternator belt was waaaay to loose and probably happened over time since the new engine was put it. I set it with the adjusting bolt and everything is all good to go.

 
Rep Power: 517

If it got loose over time, then the other bolts were probably not tight (or you got a cheapo belt).
Make certain to lock the alt in place with the rest of the bolts.
The small adjusting jackbolt alone can back off over time.

The 14mm top bolt and 12mm bottom bolt and 14mm bracket bolt must be tight too.

HTH

 
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This was a fairly new belt and I have read that non factory belts do stretch a little bit at first. With that in mind I am going to keep a close on it to see if I need to tighten any other bolts. Only problem is getting to them or I would have already done it.

 
Rep Power: 517

You don't understand the urgency here.

The bigger problem here is, if those bolts are not properly tightened, you can fry the PCM.
(Do you have any idea what that costs?)

If you could tighten that belt without loosening the other alternator bolts, they are loose. Got that? LOOSE.

 
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Since I could not get access to the alternator nut right away I checked it each day and fixed it completely this weekend. For anyone curious the best way to access the locking nut was by jacking the car up, taking off the front drivers side wheel, and pulling back a piece of plastic.

Everything has been running like a dream ever since. Thanks!